Showing posts with label Interview Questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interview Questions. Show all posts

Saturday, June 18, 2011

SQL Basics - Interview Questions Part 2


16.Difference between Char and Varchar2?
Varchar2  is similar to char but can store available number of characters and while querying  the table  varchar2 will  trims  the extra spaces and fetches  the rows that exactly match the criteria.
17.Difference between LOB  and LONG data types?
The maximum size of  an LOB is 4GB. It will support random access to data where in LONG maximum size is 2GB. It will support sequential  access to data.
18.Single Row functions: It will work on single row and give result for all the rows.
Ex: to_char, to_date etc.
19.Group Functions: It will work on group of  rows in a table  and gives  a single row result. Ex: Sum(), Avg(), min(), max().. Etc.
20.String Handling Functions?
Instr     it   returns the  position   of   the string  where  it   occur  according   to   the parameters.
Instrb – instr and instrb returns same but in the form of bytes.
Substr – It returns the portion  of  a string depending on the parameters from and to.
Substrb – Substr and Substrb returns the same thing  but Substrb returns in  the form of bytes
21.Sign: Sign is a function it will take numbers, as inputs and it will give
 i.   1 for positive integer
ii.    -1 for negative integer
 iii.    0 for ZERO
SQL> Select sign(-1234) from dual;             O/P: -1
22.Differences between UNION and UNION ALL?
Union:  The values  of  the first  query are returned with  the values  of  the  second query eliminating the duplicates.
Union All: The values of the first query are returned with the values of the second query including the duplicates.
23.Difference between NVL and NVL2 functions?
NVL  is used  to  fill  a NULL  value  to known value.  NVL2  will  identify  the  NULL values  and Filled values  it  returns exp3 if it  is null otherwise it  returns  exp2. We have to pass 3 parameters for NVL2 and 2 parameters for NVL.
24.How can we compare range of values with out using the CASE?
By using Decode with in Decode.
25.Can we Decode with in a Decode?
YES
26.Decode and Case Difference?
Case compares a Range of  values and Decode will work as if else statement.
27.Difference between Replace and Translate?
Replace  is  used  to  replace   the whole  string   and  we can  pass  null  values  in replace.  Translate  is used  to  translate  character-by-character here we  have to pass the three parameters.
28.Difference between where and having clause?
Where used  to specify  condition  and used to restrict  the data. Having  used  to specify the condition on grouped results and used to filter the data.
29.Difference between IN and EXISTS clause?
EXISTS gives the status of  the  inner query.  If the  inner  query  is success  then  it returns true other wise it returns false and IN will compare the list of values.
30.Difference between subquery and correlated subquery?
Query with  in a query  is subquery.  Inner query will  executes first  and based  on the result  the outer query will  be displayed.  Correlated  subquery outer  query will executes first and then inner query will be executed.

Saturday, June 18, 2011 by Team search · 0

SQL Basics - Interview Questions Part 1



1. Difference between DCL and DML  commands?
DCL  commands  will   commit  implicitly   where  in  DML  commands  we  have   to commit explicitly.

2. Table, Rowid, Rownum
Table is a database object, which is having more than one column associated with its data type.
Rowid is the unique binary address of the row in a table
Rownum it  is a temporary  number  in a memory  and  was  assigned  to each  row selected by the statement.

3. Pseudo-Columns
Columns  that are not created explicitly by  the user and can be used  explicitly in queries.  The pseudo-Columns  are rowid,  rownum, currval,  nextval,  sysdate, and level

4. What is a View?
View is Virtual Table, which hold the data at runtime

5. Difference between ordinary view and complex view?
Simple  views  can be  modified  easily  and these  cant hold  the data where   as complex views  cant be modified  directly  and  complex view can  hold  the  data  to modify a complex view we have to use INSTEAD OF TRIGGERS.

6. Forced view
Creating a view on a table, which is not there  in the database.

7. Inline view
Inline view is basically  a subquery  with  an alias  that  you  can  use  like a  view inside a SQL statement.

8. What is an INDEX and what are the types?
INDEX is a database object used in oracle to provide quick access to  rows.

 9. Synonym
Synonym  is an  alias  name for any database  object like tables,  views,  functions, procedures.

10. SELECT statement syntax?

SELECT    From
Where
Group by  
Having
Connect prior

11. What is Constraint? Different Constraints?
Constraints   are  representators  of   the  columns   to  enforce  data  entity   and consistency. UNIQUE, NOT NULL, Primary key, foreign key, Check.

12. Difference between Primary key and Unique + Not Null constraints?
Unique + Not Null is a combination  of  two constraints and we can use more  than one Unique + Not Null in any table. Primary Key is a single constraint we can use only one time for a table. It can be a referential key for any column in  any table.

13. What is NULL?
Default Value.

14. Dual Table
It is a one row, one column table with value X.

15. Difference between Truncate and Delete?
Truncate  will  delete  all the  rows  from  the  table  with  out any condition.  It  will commit automatically  when it  fires  Where delete  will  delete  all or  specified  rows based upon the condition here we have to commit explicitly.



by Team search · 0

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Interview Questions : Cross Validation Rules in Oracle Apps


In this post, I prepared the possible Interview questions related to Cross Validation Rules. I believe it will be useful for my audience.

1. What is Cross Validation Rules?
Cross-Validation rules define whether segment values of a particular segment can be combined with other segment values of another particular segment when new combinations are created. In other words, cross validation rules prevents the creation of invalid code combinations. It is applicable for Key Flexfields only.

2. Illustrate the appropriated need for Cross-Validation rules with example?
Let us take Accounting Flexfield for our example, we can use cross validation rules for achieving the below business requirements
  1. To ensure all balance sheet accounts to be associated only with the balance sheet cost center or corporate cost center
  2. To ensure that profit and loss accounts to be associated with specific cost centers other than corporate cost center.
  3. To restrict data entry of cost centers that is not legitimate for a specific company.

3.  A user trying to violate the cross validation rules while data entry, what happens and what are the possibilities?
The user will receive an error message given as part of the cross validation rules definition.
  • The error messages can be made very informative and tell the user exactly what is wrong with the flexfield combination.
  • The invalid segment can also be highlighted.  


4.  What Cross Validation Rules are made up of?
A cross validation rules is composed of one or more cross validation rules elements. There are two types of rule elements and they are “Include” and “Exclude”. Each cross validation rule must have at least one include rule element because cross validation rules exclude all the values unless they are specifically included via rule element. Exclude rule elements override include rule element.

5.  What is Oracle recommendation regarding rule elements definition?
We can accomplish our business requirement either by including specific ranges explicitly or by including all possible ranges and exclude the specific ranges. But the Oracle recommendation is
One Include Rule Element which encompasses all possible values with several exclude cross validation rule elements

6.  How do you define an all-encompassing include cross-validation rule element?
An all-encompassing include for numeric segments is “O” through “9”, while for alpha numeric segments it is from “ O” through “Z”. For Example, if our flexfield has three segments with First segment of two Numbers, Second of four characters and third segment of six characters then the all encompassing include is 00-0000-000000 through 99-ZZZZ-ZZZZZZ.

7.  What will be a blank value do in a cross validation rule element?
While defining the rule element, leaving the segment blank includes all possible values

8.  What is the use of error segment and error message?
 While defining a cross validation rule, we need to enter a mandatory error message that will appear if an enabled cross validation rule is being violated. Next we can choose to enter an error segment and an effective date range. The error segment will be highlighted if this particular cross validation rule is violated.

9.  What is the difference between disabling a cross validation rule vs deleting it?
The difference is when we think about reusing the cross validation rules i.e. deleted cross validation rule needs a redefinition while disabled cross validation doesn’t  need a redefinition just  a tick in check box is enough to re enable it.

10. Whether a single flexfield structure can have multiple cross validation rules?
Yes

11. What is the need for multiple cross validation rules?
Even though we can achieve cross validation across more than one segment via single cross validation rule, it is advisable to go for multiple cross validation rules so that a clear error message and error segment can be highlighted to the user which directly point to the specific issue. Moreover, using multiple simple cross validation rules is better than single complex cross validation rule.

12. When a combination is valid for a flexfield structure which has multiple cross validation rules?
Combination is valid only if they are in at least one include rule element and outside of all exclude elements.

13. What is the navigation to define a cross validation?
Responsibility: General Ledger Vision Operations
Navigation:  Setup : Financial : Flexfield : Key : Rules


Thursday, February 10, 2011 by Team search · 1

Monday, January 24, 2011

Interview Questions: Oracle Alerts Part 3

                                                                                                      

21.   Can you use view as an event alert table?
Ans:  You cannot use a view as the event table for your alert.

22.   What are the four types of actions in alert can be specified?
Ans:  There are four types of actions you can create
a)      Message actions
b)      Concurrent program actions
c)       Operating script actions
d)      SQL statement script actions

23.   Are there any limitations in Response processing when getting inputs back from user?
Ans:  Yes, User must respond answer in a specific format and content.

24.   How does Alert work?
Ans:  Oracle Alert checks your database for the exceptions you want to know about using several concurrent programs
a)      Periodic Alert Scheduler
b)      Check Periodic Alert
c)       Check Event Alert
d)      Response Processor
The Periodic Alert Scheduler (ALEPPE) is a concurrent program that automatically checks your scheduled periodic alerts.

25.   How Check Event Alert Works?
Ans:  Once you define an event alert to monitor a table for any insert or update to the table will trigger the event alert. When an insert or update to an event table occurs, Oracle Alert submits To the concurrent manager, a request to run a concurrent program called Check Event Alert (ALECTC). The concurrent manager runs this request according to its priority in the concurrent queue. When the request is run, Check Event Alert executes the alert Select statement. The Response Processor (ALPPIM) is the Oracle Alert concurrent program that processes responses to an alert message.

26.   What is the purpose of: DATE_LAST_CHECKED ?
Ans:  An Oracle Alert implicit input that contains the date and time that an alert was last checked Oracle Alert automatically provides the value for: DATE_LAST_CHECKED. You must use DATE_LAST_CHECKED to create self–referencing alerts.

27.   What is meant by Action History?
Ans:  A record of the actual actions performed for each action set check that includes the value substituted for each output.

28.   Can you perform actions if a recipient doesn’t respond?
Ans:  Yes, Using No Response field to specify the actions you want Oracle Alert to perform if the recipient does not respond within the number of Response Days specified in the Action Details window of the Alerts form known as the response processor.

29.   Can one create event alerts on custom tables, triggered by custom applications?
Ans:  Yes, Oracle Alerts can be integrated with your custom application and detailed information is available in the below link

30.    How often should the Alert tables be purged?
Ans:  There is no recommended purge frequency.  It all depends on how many alerts have been enabled and their frequency.

Monday, January 24, 2011 by Team search · 2

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The ideas, thoughts and concepts expressed here are my own. They, in no way reflect those of my employer or any other organization/client that I am associated. The articles presented doesn't imply to any particular organization or client and are meant only for knowledge Sharing purpose. The articles can't be reproduced or copied without the Owner's knowledge or permission.